Railtrail Autumn, Festive & Winter 2016/2017

Harz Winter Wonderland

Germany’s timeless Harz Mountains are arguably even more spectacular in winter. Towns brimming with half-timbered houses resemble Christmas card scenes and the surrounding forests glisten in the snow. February offers the best of the Harz in winter, so join us on a narrow gauge and mountain railway adventure to warm your Harz.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We depart London St Pancras by Eurostar, speeding across Kent and towards France. Our Eurostar terminates at Brussels, where we change onto a high- speed train into Germany. Our hotel for one night is the InterCity Hotel Wuppertal. (D) DAY 2 Wuppertal is well-known throughout Germany for its unique ‘Schwebebahn’ suspended railway, which floats high above the River Wupper. The railway dates from the early 1900s and we enjoy a journey on ‘dingle-dangle railway’, as it is affectionately known at Railtrail, before rejoining the German rail network, continuing to Hanover and onwards to Wernigerode, where our hotel for four nights is the HKK Hotel. (B,D) DAY 3 Our excursion by regional railway takes us to the historic and charming town of Goslar. At any time of year Goslar, with its imperial heritage and gorgeous Old Town, is worth a visit. Boasting more than 1,500 half-timbered buildings, Goslar has UNESCO World Heritage status. We learn about the proud history of this thriving town on a guided walking tour. (B,D) ★ ★ UNESCO World Heritage half- timbered Quedlinburg, a former imperial capital ★ ★ Steam on the narrow-gauge Selketalbahn Railway ★ ★ Enjoy light lunch in Alexisbad in the Selke Valley ★ ★ No Single Supplement! ★ ★ Standard Class travel from London to Germany and return ★ ★ UNESCO World Heritage half- timbered Goslar, with included guided tour ★ ★ Action-packed steam-hauled journey up the Brocken Mountain ★ ★ ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ at the restaurant at the summit of the Brocken

Fares From £795

6 DAYS

DAY 4 The regional rail network takes us to another UNESCO World Heritage site today, Quedlinburg. Quedlinburg’s patchwork of half-timbered houses has led UNESCO to consider it one of the best examples of a medieval town and the Collegiate Church overlooking the town from its hill a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. From Quedlinburg we take the narrow gauge Selketalbahn through the wintry forests to Alexisbad. Here we settle into the cosy atmosphere of a local gasthaus to enjoy light lunch before making the return journey. (B,L,D) DAY 5 Today we enjoy an exhilarating ride aboard the Brockenbahn, a steam-hauled journey from Wernigerode through wintry landscapes up to the summit of the Brocken mountain to Germany’s highest narrow-gauge station and the Harz region’s highest peak. At the summit we take in the views from the warmth of the restaurant, enjoying ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’. Returning to Wernigerode, why not explore this pleasant Harz town, with its attractive market square and picturesque town hall. Wander amidst the quaint half- timbered buildings or take a trip up the hill to Wernigerode’s stunning castle. (B,T,D) DAY 6 Leaving Wernigerode, we change trains in Hanover and Cologne. In Brussels we join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras. (B)

DEPARTS Friday 10 February 2017

FARE From London St Pancras International: Standard Class rail travel to / from Germany, including £795 Standard Eurostar NO Single Traveller Supplement 5 nights’ bed, breakfast and evening meal, plus two refreshment breaks Eurostar Standard Class rail travel Standard Class rail travel to Wernigerode and return All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager GUARANTEED FARE

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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